IMMIGRATION : EP STUDY STRIKES OUT AT ASYLUM POLICIES IN EUROPE.

• Position: European Parliament

Although the number of refugees has risen since the 1980s (due to conflicts, abuse of power and natural disasters), the EU's reception is not outstanding and the burden of asylum affects some member states disproportionately. These are the main findings - which were already known - of a very detailed study, presented on 22 February in Brussels to the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE).

"The vast majority of the world's refugees are hosted by neighbouring countries." In 2007, more than 80% of refugees remained within their region of origin and "Europe only hosted 14% of the world's refugees or people in refugee-like situations," ie "one asylum seeker per more than 2,200 European inhabitants," states the EP study. The 200-page text examines the costs related to asylum assumed by the member...